Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal issue: Impasse continues as meeting remains inconclusive

The impasse surrounding the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal – the focal point of a water-sharing dispute between Haryana and Punjab continued on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) as the meeting convened by central government with both the states over the sensitive issue remained inconclusive.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil in New Delhi convened the meeting with Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to address the long-standing SYL canal issue.

An official statement after meeting said, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, the discussions saw both states express their commitment to an early resolution of this long pending matter. “It was mutually agreed that the Chief Ministers will reconvene with the Union Minister of Jal Shakti in early August to continue working towards an amicable solution,” it said.

Mr. Saini, talking to media persons, said the Chief Minister of Punjab also acknowledged that this issue should be resolved, as it has remained pending for far too long.

He expressed confidence that a positive outcome will be achieved on this issue. “Punjab and Haryana are like brothers, and even today, they share a common space with mutual respect and harmony. The upcoming discussions in the next meeting are expected to lead to a better solution and yield positive results,” he said.

Punjab CM Mann said, meanwhile Punjab has no surplus water for any other state, even as he sought share for state in Indus waters and mooted the idea of Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL) canal instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Mr. Mann reiterated that the state has no spare water to share with any other state and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water with anyone.